The Baiga culture is full of proverbs, tales and rituals. They are stretched in different states of India like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. They follow different types of customs that are different from other tribes.
Tattooing Among Baiga Tribe
Among the women tattooing is an integral part. They decorate different parts of their body with different tattoo marks. Long strips of parallel lines are made on the face, especially on the fore head. Different types of marks are made like moon, triangles, crosses, dots and others. Dots or small lines are also made on the cheek or chin, below the neck and on the back. The women who specialise as tattooing artists are called Godharins and they belong to the Ojha, Badni and Dewar tribes of M.P. They are well aware about the different types of tattoos favoured by various tribes. Tattooing amongst the tribes begins from the winter season and continues until summer.
Tradition of Folk Medicine among Baiga Tribe
The tradition of folk medicine is still followed by the Baigas. The Baiga men are experts having indepth knowledge about medicines. Various parts of plants are used as herbal medicines. For any type of body ailments like body pain, headache, cough, stomach pain, cold, fever, cut or small accident etc, the Baigas treat them with their own medicines.
Birth and Death Rituals among Baiga Tribe
There are certain rituals attached to the birth and death of the Baigas. After the birth of a child a woman is considered to be impure for a month. A purification ceremony is organized where the child`s name is also finalized. Children who are physically handicapped are given names accordingly like Langra (lame), Bahira (deaf).
Among the Baigas the dead people are buried but the aged people are burnt as a sign of honour. Bodies are laid naked with their head pointing the south direction. A person of importance is buried with two; three rupees or cigarettes and tobacco are kept. In some instances a rupee is thrust into the mouth of the dead person which is later recovered by the man`s daughter or sister who wears it in her amulet. On top of the grave a platform is made on which a stone is raised. In times of trouble his relatives worship the place. During the funeral two fowls, one black and one white are taken to the streams and are eaten there. A portion is also kept for the deceased one. For a period of two to three days mourning is observed. During this all household chores are discontinued and food is provided by their friends. A different set of rituals are followed if a man is killed by a tiger. When such an incident takes place, a Baiga priest is called who visits the spot where the incident took place. He makes a small cone of the blood stained earth which should symbolize either the deceased man or his relatives. The priest then goes around on his hands and knees and performs activities that indicate the tiger. He also takes a lump of blood stained earth in his mouth and the relatives standing at a distance approaches and strikes the priest with a stick on his back. This action means the tiger has been killed or has been left harmless and the priest then lets off the mud into the hands one of the relative. The mud is then placed in an ant hill and a pig is sacrificed over it. The next a pig is taken and a mark is made which represents the dead man`s name and is then left in the jungle. This ceremony is believed to lay back the deceased one`s spirit and also prevents the tiger from causing any harm.
